Honk If You Love Jesus!

Shortly after Easter weekend, I found two abandoned ducklings at the lake outside my house. I brought them into my spare bathroom for the night, took them to the vet the next morning, and was told if I could raise them in a safe environment until their wings came in, they’d stand a great chance of survival. The next day the ducklings were set up in our warehouse complete with water-filled kitty litter boxes for swimming and plenty of meal worms to dine on. We watched as they lost their down and their feathers came in. We even listened as they went from constant peeps, to chirps, quacks, and honks. We named them Lucky and Clucky.

During this time, I did a great deal of research on raising fowl. I came across the term “imprinting”. It has been referred to as one of the strongest forces in nature. In other words, I was their momma. Their upbringing was filled with safety, positive interaction, and plenty of good food! Fast forward two months to the day I knew would come: it was time to release my ducks, now fully grown, into nature.

I released them in an area a short distance away from the main lake complete with its own little island and tranquil spring. They literally took to it like ducks to water. I returned daily to feed them their top-quality diet to ensure they continued to develop fully. Each day I called them and they came waddling. If they heard me call them and didn’t see me, they would quack at the top of their lungs letting me know that they were on the way! They ate out of my hand and even let me pet them. Once feeding was done they happily waddled back into the water where they splashed around and played.

With all the time I spent on the lake, I watched the interaction of the numerous other birds. There were hundreds of geese, ducks, hybrids, and even a swan who tried his best to intimidate me! Could my little duo make it with the others? Some of the nasty behavior I witnessed made me wonder. But I knew I had done everything I could and, as the saying goes, “Let Go, Let God.”

It’s been two months since Lucky and Clucky resumed life on the lake. Every evening we meet at the same location where I feed them and spend time with them. Although they have had some hairy interactions and threats in their lives, they have adapted very well. The other ducks seem to sense that there is something special about them. I’m not sure if it’s because they can smell the fact that I’ve put my hand on them, or if it’s in the way they carry themselves. But it is very obvious that these ducks move about the lake in a very distinct and unusual way.

Those of you who know me know how I draw life lessons from animals. In fact, I consider God’s creatures to be some of His greatest teachers. After all, they were created to share the Garden of Eden with us. As I watched Lucky and Clucky, I was reminded of several great life lessons. When we are “imprinted” by positivity in our lives, it affects everything we do. We need not fear trial and adversity because we have a higher purpose in our lives. My literal touch has designated them as special and protected, much like the spiritual hand of God on His children.

So as you swim through the lake of life, fully embrace that you are different, you are chosen, you are protected. Allow the imprinting of the Holy Spirit to fully show through in everything you do so that others will look at you and say, “There’s something different about that one.” And never forget that life’s just ducky and to honk if you love Jesus!